Beyond the Buzz: Navigating the Information Overload

Welcome to Effective Habits, a weekly newsletter where I share evidence-based strategies and tools to help you live a happy, healthy, and productive life.

Today at a Glance:

• Playing Bigger Games

• Optimize Your Water Quality for Health (Part 2/2)

• Paying Attention

Playing Bigger Games
Sahil Bloom

Lights, Camera, ...
Imagine going on a retreat to Mexico with a group of inspiring entrepreneurs, writers, and investors. In the evenings, you gather for programming sessions where participants share their businesses and face intense questioning. During one of these sessions, you have an eye-opening realization: you've been playing it safe, thinking small without even realizing it. Instead of aiming for big, non-linear outcomes, you've been stuck in a small, linear game. What's been holding you back? It's a hidden fear of playing big in those areas. As you dig deeper, you uncover that these fears are based on outdated assumptions about your capabilities and resources. But now, armed with this newfound awareness, you're ready to break free and think bigger than ever before.

Action!

1. Arrange a meeting with a small group of close friends or trusted intellectual sparring partners.

2. Allocate 10-15 minutes to discuss your focus areas or business.

3. Answer the following crucial questions:

   • Where are you currently playing small out of fear of playing significantly bigger?

   • Identify the factors that are hindering you from engaging in that bigger game.

   • Assess whether these factors are genuine obstacles or merely imagined limitations.

Optimize Your Water Quality for Health (Part 2/2)
Dr. Andrew Huberman

Lights, Camera, ...
No matter where you live, tap water may contain contaminants that pose potential health risks. Municipal filtration systems have limitations, and substances like disinfection byproducts (DBPs), flouride, and lead can be present in excess concentrations. Filtering tap water can help improve its quality and reduce the presence of harmful substances. Various filtration options, from pitcher filters to whole house water filters, are available to address these concerns and ensure cleaner and safer drinking water for better health.

Action!

1. Filter your tap water for improved quality. Consider these options based on your budget:

   1. <$100 - pitcher filters that include fluoride filtration (e.g. ClearlyFiltered Pitcher).

   2. $400 - countertop filters suitable for larger water volumes (e.g. Berkey Filters).

   3. $800+ - whole house water filters (e.g. Aquasana Filters).

   4. 0$ alternative - allow 1-5 gallons of water to rest uncapped at room temperature for approximately one day. Sediment will settle at the bottom, allowing you to pour off the top two-thirds for drinking.

2. Tap water with higher magnesium concentrations (ideally 8.3-19.4 mg/L) is more alkaline and enhances absorption, although it does not impact the pH of your tissues. Some studies suggest that alkaline water may reduce inflammation, blood pressure, and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

3. City-provided water reports should be accessible for free in the United States (and many other countries). Use your zip code to search for a water quality report online or contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (US).

Paying Attention
Morgan Housel

Lights, Camera, ...
In a world overflowing with information, the skill of selective attention is a secret weapon we often overlook. We must carefully choose what we allow to occupy our minds. The trick is to have a wide funnel, exploring anything that piques your interest, but a tight filter, swiftly discarding what doesn't resonate. It reminds us that not all knowledge is created equal; there's the fleeting kind that expires like yesterday's news, and then there's the timeless kind that shapes our understanding of the world. Rather than drowning in a sea of forgettable facts, cherish memorable stories and powerful sentences that leave an indelible mark. Wee need to embrace differing viewpoints, especially when they come from respected individuals who dare to disagree. So let's pay attention to what truly matters, curate our mental space with intention, and embark on a journey of lifelong learning where the pursuit of lasting knowledge takes center stage.

Action!

1. When reading an article, book, etc., ask yourself, "Will I still care about this in a year? Five years? Ten?" Prioritize permanent knowledge, like principles and frameworks, rather than expiring information such as news and market updates, which can overwhelm and distract us.

2. Optimize your reading by memorizing a few impactful stories and skipping unnecessary fluff. We don’t tend to remember more than a few sentences or stories from a book. Find those that resonate with you and move on without getting bogged down in the details of every page of a book.

3. Challenge your beliefs by paying close attention when someone you admire disagrees with you on a topic you're passionate about. Take inspiration from Charles Darwin's approach of seeking disconfirming evidence to refine his ideas.

TOOL TIP

ClearlyFiltered Pitcher: A somewhat pricey but extremely well performing water filter. Huge advantage is its ability to filter flouride, lead, BPA, glyphosate, PFOAs, etc. If this product isn’t available in your location, make sure to find a filter that has the same filtering capabilities.

FUN “FACT”

The optimal amount of free time per day to achieve maximum happiness is 2.5 hours for people who are employed. More than this and they get bored. Less, and they feel stressed and overworked.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not liable for any risks or issues that may arise from using this information.